Trouble is again brewing in Air India ahead of the upcoming busy holiday season, with a section of pilots resenting a proposed 15 per cent cut in their allowances, saying such a reduction would place their pay below what was prevailing in the market.

The pilots feel such a cut would be substantial as about 60 per cent of their total pay package consists of various allowances.

Airline officials say a 15-per cent slash in allowances was being effected across all sections of employees of the cash-strapped national carrier, including the pilots.

The officials downplayed the threat of a strike or an agitation by pilots over the issue, saying the final salary structure would be decided only after negotiations with pilots.